Prized rookie Jasson Domínguez hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth inning to help the New York Yankees to a 6-1 win over the Houston Astros that completed a three-game sweep

The European Union (EU) promised Ukraine £4.3bn in military aid as part of its ongoing support in the war against Russia. The 27-nation bloc remained committed to help defeat a “brutal and inhumane” Moscow, said Josep Borrell, EU’s high representative for foreign affairs. It comes after the US Congress left Ukraine war aid out of its spending bill and a pro-Russian candidate won an election in Slovakia. Monday’s meeting in Kyiv was touted by Mr Borrell as a historic first for the EU but it comes at an awkward time for the Western countries backing Ukraine. With summer drawing to a close, Ukraine’s counteroffensive has failed to produce the victories that Kyiv’s allies had hoped to see before mud clogs the treads of donated tanks. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, quoted by his website, said he was sure "Ukraine and the entire free world are capable of winning this confrontation. But our victory depends directly on our cooperation with you". Mr Borrell told a news briefing with Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba that the EU remained united in its support for Ukraine. He had proposed an EU spending package for Kyiv of up to €5bn (£4.3bn) for 2024 which he hoped to have agreed by then. Mr Kuleba also brushed off concerns about faltering support on both sides of the Atlantic, amid the omission of Ukraine from the US spending bill. "We don’t feel that the US support has been shattered ... because the United States understands that what is at stake in Ukraine is much bigger than just Ukraine," he told reporters. Meanwhile, pro-Kyiv officials in the US are scrambling to find the best way to secure approval for further assistance on top of the $113bn (£93.6bn) in security, economic and humanitarian aid the US has provided since Russia invaded in February 2022. Leaders in the Senate, narrowly controlled by president Joe Biden’s fellow Democrats, promised to take up legislation in the coming weeks on continued support. But in the Republican-led House of Representatives, speaker Kevin McCarthy said he wanted more information from the Biden administration. White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre urged Congress to act quickly. As for the election victory of pro-Russian Slovak former prime minister Robert Fico, Mr Kuleba said a new leader would still have to form a coalition and it was "too early to judge" the impact on politics there. German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock sought help to prepare Ukraine for winter, including air defence and energy supplies, after Russia bombed energy installations last year. "Last winter, we saw the brutal way in which the Russian president is waging this war," Ms Baerbock said. "We must prevent this together with everything we have, as far as possible." Moscow touted the congressional vote in the United States as a sign of increasing division in the West, although the Kremlin said it expected Washington to continue its support for Kyiv. The omission of aid for Ukraine was "temporary", Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said. "But we have repeatedly said before that according to our forecasts fatigue from this conflict, fatigue from the completely absurd sponsorship of the Kyiv regime, will grow in various countries, including the United States," he said. Additional reporting from the wires Read More Ukraine-Russia war – live: Putin’s prized Black Sea fleet ‘struggling’ with threats on southern front Ukraine to build its first underground school in Kharkiv, official says Congress didn't include funds for Ukraine in its spending bill. How will that affect the war?

Russia’s leadership is suffering “friction and confusion” since the Wagner mercenary group’s mutiny last month, but the impact it is having on front lines in Ukraine is still uncertain, the United States’ top general said on Thursday. General Mark Milley descibed “a lot of drama” at senior levels within the regime after Yevgeny Prigozhin led the mercenary group to capture Rostov-on-Don and then begin to drive to Moscow before the assault on the capital was defused in a deal ostensibly brokered by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. Mr Prigozhin has said the mutiny was not aimed at overthrowing the government but at “bringing to justice” the army and defense chiefs for their “blunders and unprofessional actions”. “At the strategic level it is pretty clear that you have a significant amount of friction and confusion,” General Milley told a small group of reporters traveling with him in Asia. Also on Thursday, a senior Russian general who was fighting in Ukraine said he was dismissed from his position after he accused the military’s leadership of betraying his troops with a lack of support. Read More Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin ‘dead or in prison’ after Putin meeting, former US commander claims Russian general says he has been fired for telling truth about dire situation on Ukraine frontlines What to know about the harrowing Ukraine war doc '20 Days in Mariupol'

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Aston Villa’s women’s team are “dreading” playing in the club’s new home shirt this weekend after players complained the kits were retaining sweat and creating a “wet look”. Villa’s men’s team have reported the issue to the club, saying that the design produced by kit manufacturer Castore makes the shirt “heavy” and “clingy”, according to the Daily Telegraph. The club’s claret and blue home shirts have noticeably been changing colour this season and players say they are uncomfortable while playing in them. Concerns have also been raised among the women’s team ahead of Sunday’s Women’s Super League opener against Manchester United, in a match that will be shown live on BBC Two. The BBC commentator Jacqui Oatley told Newsbeat: “Normally they’d absolutely relish those games and look forward to them. But they’re actually dreading it because they’re really conscious about how they’re going to look in this wet, clingy kit - for obvious reasons." Villa’s women’s team wore the kit in pre-season and although reports suggest no complaints were officially made at the time, Villa and Castore are now working to improve the kit’s design. Villa’s men’s team have worn the shirts twice this week, away at Chelsea on Sunday and at home to Everton on Wednesday, and on both occasions players were left looking soaked in sweat. Villa signed a contract with British company Castore, who have also produced kits for Newcastle, Wolves and Rangers this season, in 2022 and there were no issues with the design on last season’s kit. The Independent has approached Castore for comment Read More Aston Villa women ‘dreading’ WSL opener due to ‘wet kit’ design error Can United, City or Arsenal dethrone champions Chelsea? – WSL talking points Nicolas Jackson strike earns Chelsea much-needed cup victory over Brighton

Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen says running back Jonathan Taylor did not attend Tuesday's practice because he's continuing to rehabilitate from offseason ankle surgery

Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted in the death of George Floyd, has been stabbed in

'Well, to be able to have talked to Eddie and had a wonderful rapport with him on text, it means everything to me,' said Sammy Hagar

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman says in an interview with Fox News airing Wednesday that ongoing negotiations over Israel means the prospects of normalized relations between both countries “get closer” every day but that treatment of Palestinians is “very important.”

Elvis Merzlikins stopped 41 shots and the Columbus Blue Jackets rallied from two goals down to beat the Ottawa Senators 4-2

Deshaun Watson led Cleveland on back-to-back touchdown drives before the Kansas City Chiefs’ backups overcame two pick-6s from their quarterbacks and rallied for a 33-32 victory over the Browns on Saturday in the exhibition finale for both teams

The San Antonio Spurs will play their first game of the California Summer League on Monday, but they won’t have No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama.The French phenom reportedly will only play in the Las Vegas Summer League (July 7-17) this offseason.https://twitter.com/MarcJSpears/sta...